CLEVELAND- The football gods must be looking out for Delta State. Not only did the Statesmen come back from a large deficit in dramatic fashion against Ouachita Baptist last week, they got all the help they needed to sneak into the playoffs. The Green and White is currently ranked fifth in the NCAA Super Regional II rankings which has them in the playoffs, but it is not time to get complacent. Saturday's game against the Lambuth Eagles is a must win if the guys want to see postseason play.

If you remember last week Delta State was ranked eighth in that same poll and has since jumped three spots due to losses by teams ranked higher like Catawba and Fort Valley State. All the Statesmen are worried about is continuing to win. After the North Alabama loss running back Trevar Deed, while being interviewed on the Statesmen Insider, guaranteed a win against OBU and a trip to the playoffs. The team has seemed to get that message loud and clear and back the bold statement.

Deed personally has backed that message scoring three touchdowns charging the comeback against the Tigers last week and running with a vengeance. After the game was over we crossed paths on the field and he simply smiled and said, “I told you so.” Deed will need to keep that production up along with the rest of the offense against a Lambuth team that has been unpredictable thus far on the season. The Eagles have scored 40 plus points in their last two games and have even beaten an FCS school earlier in the year.

 The defense came up huge forcing four turnovers in that game against Ouachita Baptist that kept the Statesmen in the game. It seems as if that side of the ball is really hitting their stride at just the right time. All-American candidate Garrett Williams led the way on defense with a stat line that would make anyone look twice racking up 13 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, and added an interception. True freshman cornerback also made his presence felt in the secondary adding 7 tackles validating the coach's decision to give him his first career start.

Delta State has been in huge games all throughout the season and the last two of the regular season are no different. The game against Ouachita Baptist was a playoff like game because there is no way the Statesmen see the postseason with a loss. The same goes for Saturday's game against the Lambuth Eagles. There will be a “win or go home” mentality going into this matchup just as the previous week. The Statesmen should be ready proving last week that the defense can win a game when called upon adding to the many ways they can beat a team.

The Statesmen travel to Jackson, Tenn. to face the Lambuth Eagles in the regular season finale kicking off at 1 p.m. There is no shortage of ways you can keep up with the game on Saturday with the radio broadcast starting at noon with the Shelter Insurance Locker Room Report. You can stream the game on GoStatesmen.com and if that is not enough you can follow updates on both Twitter.com/DSUStatesmen and Facebook.com/DSUStatesmen.